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Question: Hi, I would like to ask a very quick question please about insomnia. I was not sure if there was a specialist on your list that deals with that so I opted for a general doctor although I am happy to be transferred if someone has a particular specialism in this field.
Something very weird has happened with my sleep recently and I have a suspicion I am being woken up deliberately (I have moved to a shared flat recently). I just wanted to ask - if someone was sleeping for 9 hours every day for a period of years but then, all of a sudden, they were waking up every 2 hours, regardless of the time they went to sleep and then, a few days later, once every 1 hour, for a period of 3 weeks straight, without ever getting a deep sleep once in that time, do you think that could have a normal explanation? or does it indicate foul play? I have had no change in my diet or life circumstances and was waking up even after taking sleeping pills that worked perfectly in the past.
With thanks,
Something very weird has happened with my sleep recently and I have a suspicion I am being woken up deliberately (I have moved to a shared flat recently). I just wanted to ask - if someone was sleeping for 9 hours every day for a period of years but then, all of a sudden, they were waking up every 2 hours, regardless of the time they went to sleep and then, a few days later, once every 1 hour, for a period of 3 weeks straight, without ever getting a deep sleep once in that time, do you think that could have a normal explanation? or does it indicate foul play? I have had no change in my diet or life circumstances and was waking up even after taking sleeping pills that worked perfectly in the past.
With thanks,
Brief Answer:
A little insight from my end, and a few questions for a response from yours
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your concern and would like to mention certain points for your reference:
1. Main point here is the fact that you are a female. Females at your age experience hormonal fluctuations from time to time, and although this is usually around the time of a woman's period, in some woman many other causative factors like medications, stress, infections, weight fluctuations, etc; can also cause hormonal fluctuations.
Hormone fluctuations are one of the most common causes for insomnia in women.
2. Medical conditions can lead to insomnia
3. Emotional stress, anxiety, worry/concern can also cause insomnia and in my opinion your anxiety towards the insomnia could be making it worse
4. Bipolar disorder or other such psychological conditions can also cause insomnia. Do not be alarmed by the inclusion of a psychological cause ma'am, being a doctor I can tell you that at least 90 % of the world's population has at least 1 undiagnosed psychological condition as there are numerous of them; I myself have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), so I too fall under that 90 %
I would also like to ask:
A. How you suspect there to be some foul play?
B. Do you reside with someone?
C. Do you think someone could have caused this insomnia?
D. If yes, how?
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
A little insight from my end, and a few questions for a response from yours
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your concern and would like to mention certain points for your reference:
1. Main point here is the fact that you are a female. Females at your age experience hormonal fluctuations from time to time, and although this is usually around the time of a woman's period, in some woman many other causative factors like medications, stress, infections, weight fluctuations, etc; can also cause hormonal fluctuations.
Hormone fluctuations are one of the most common causes for insomnia in women.
2. Medical conditions can lead to insomnia
3. Emotional stress, anxiety, worry/concern can also cause insomnia and in my opinion your anxiety towards the insomnia could be making it worse
4. Bipolar disorder or other such psychological conditions can also cause insomnia. Do not be alarmed by the inclusion of a psychological cause ma'am, being a doctor I can tell you that at least 90 % of the world's population has at least 1 undiagnosed psychological condition as there are numerous of them; I myself have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), so I too fall under that 90 %
I would also like to ask:
A. How you suspect there to be some foul play?
B. Do you reside with someone?
C. Do you think someone could have caused this insomnia?
D. If yes, how?
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Thank you very much for your time, but to explain, my question is a bit more specific. I just want to know:
* Is it normal to be sleeping 9 hours every night for many years, and then, one day, all of a sudden, change to waking up every 2 hours every night??
Thank you very much,
XXXXXXX
Thank you very much for your time, but to explain, my question is a bit more specific. I just want to know:
* Is it normal to be sleeping 9 hours every night for many years, and then, one day, all of a sudden, change to waking up every 2 hours every night??
Thank you very much,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Most certainly would be ma'am, Yes :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
Yes it is possible. But due to various factors that can be involved, but a direct response would be a firm 'Yes'.
Best wishes. :)
Most certainly would be ma'am, Yes :)
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
Yes it is possible. But due to various factors that can be involved, but a direct response would be a firm 'Yes'.
Best wishes. :)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr XXXXXXX
Ok thank you very much for the direct answer, yes I was looking for that.
Ok, so I don't have many more follow ups left. I will have to do some research myself. Can you please tell me the medical name of this problem? When someone wakes up repeatedly? Or maybe you can tell me the name of some research studies about this?? It would be very helpful if you can point me in the right direction for research...
Because as you say, there has to be a reason. And there is nothing wrong with my hormones, I do not have any medical conditions, I have not had any changes in stress and it's ok! but I do not have bipolar disorder. I think someone I live with here is making a noise every few hours and trying to wake me up. So I need to find out what all the natural possible reasons could be...
Thank you very much Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you!
Ok thank you very much for the direct answer, yes I was looking for that.
Ok, so I don't have many more follow ups left. I will have to do some research myself. Can you please tell me the medical name of this problem? When someone wakes up repeatedly? Or maybe you can tell me the name of some research studies about this?? It would be very helpful if you can point me in the right direction for research...
Because as you say, there has to be a reason. And there is nothing wrong with my hormones, I do not have any medical conditions, I have not had any changes in stress and it's ok! but I do not have bipolar disorder. I think someone I live with here is making a noise every few hours and trying to wake me up. So I need to find out what all the natural possible reasons could be...
Thank you very much Dr XXXXXXX
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Search for sleep pattern disturbance and try a few suggestions listed
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
We cannot comment on the condition, but as you know the symptom is insomnia and it can occur with various causes as mentioned in first response ma'am, you can refer to that list. :)
You can search for 'sleep pattern disturbance' for a little more insight ma'am.
So you think you are being disturbed every now and then? I can suggest CCTV surveillance which is commonly used in such circumstances. Also, you could ask someone totally unaware to come and have a sleepover to see if they notice anything out of the normal, and can help you confirm/rule out any foul play.
I am always at your service ma'am, you need not thank me at all. :)
Best wishes.
Search for sleep pattern disturbance and try a few suggestions listed
Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.
We cannot comment on the condition, but as you know the symptom is insomnia and it can occur with various causes as mentioned in first response ma'am, you can refer to that list. :)
You can search for 'sleep pattern disturbance' for a little more insight ma'am.
So you think you are being disturbed every now and then? I can suggest CCTV surveillance which is commonly used in such circumstances. Also, you could ask someone totally unaware to come and have a sleepover to see if they notice anything out of the normal, and can help you confirm/rule out any foul play.
I am always at your service ma'am, you need not thank me at all. :)
Best wishes.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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